Due to opt-outs and transfers, Florida State will be missing at least 14 players in the Orange Bowl.
In the Orange Bowl against Georgia, the Seminoles will look like a completely different team.
There is less than a week until No. 5 Florida State plays No. 6 Georgia in the Orange Bowl. The Seminoles will face the Bulldogs with a significantly different squad after winning the first 13 games of the season and capturing the ACC Championship for the first time in nine years.
Following a historic snub, nearly 16% of Florida State’s roster has decided not to play in the game for a variety of reasons. The College Football Playoff Selection Committee’s decision has effectively destroyed the ‘Noles at a number of spots, and younger players will be expected to step up on both sides of the ball.
At least 14 players on the roster will not be playing, and that figure may rise to more than 20 depending on how the next few days play out. Obviously, star quarterback Jordan Travis will miss the rest of the season due to a leg injury. Running back Trey Benson, wide receiver Johnny Wilson, wide receiver Keon Coleman, tight end Jaheim Bell, defensive end Javier Verse, and defensive tackle Fabien Lovett have all opted out of the game in order to prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft.
For their efforts during the season, all seven Seminoles received ACC awards. Benson led the team in rushing (906 yards, 14 touchdowns), Coleman (658 yards, 11 touchdowns) led the ACC in receiving touchdowns, and Verse (41 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks) led the team in sacks. Wilson (617 yards, 2 touchdowns), Bell (503 yards, 2 touchdowns), and Lovett (22 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack) all played important roles in the team’s success.
Seven members of the roster have also entered the NCAA Transfer Portal and committed to other programs. Quarterback AJ Duffy (San Diego State), running back Rodney Hill (FAMU), running back CJ Campbell (FAU), tight end Markeston Douglas (Arizona State), offensive linemen Bless Harris (TCU), Daughtry Richardson (FAU), and offensive lineman Qae’Shon Sapp (FAMU) have all found new homes. Duffy, Hill, Campbell, Douglas, and Harris were all on Florida State’s most recent two-deep for the conference championship game against Louisville.
Other scholarship players in the portal include defensive tackle Malcolm Ray, linebacker DJ Lundy, offensive lineman Thomas Scrader, defensive tackle Ayobami Tifase, and linebacker Dylan-Brown Turner. Furthermore, Seminoles like safety Akeem Dent, linebacker Kalen DeLoach, linebacker Tatum Bethune, cornerback Renardo Green, cornerback Fentrell Cypress II, and defensive tackle Braden Fiske have not officially announced whether or not they will play.
It is worth mentioning that Cypress, DeLoach, and Fiske will speak with the media on Thursday, according to the Orange Bowl press schedule. It seems unlikely that they would attend a news conference for the game if they did not intend to play the Bulldogs.
On Florida State’s last depth chart, 11 of the players who were not expected to play were listed in the two-deep. If some of those in the gateway opt to leave, the number might grow to 15. The Seminoles’ depth chart for the game will be released on Monday, Christmas Day.
Georgia, on the other hand, has had 19 players join the portal, with starting linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson being the most notable loss. Cornerback AJ Harris, cornerback Nylan Green, outside linebacker Marvin Jones Jr, linebacker Xavian Sorey, linebacker Darris Smith, linebacker CJ Madden, defensive tackle Jonathan Jefferson, wide receiver Jackson Meeks, wide receiver Zeed Haynes, offensive lineman Aliou Bah, offensive lineman Austin Blaske, and quarterback Brock Vandagriff have all moved on.
Bulldogs starting quarterback Carson Beck has already stated that he would play in the game despite considering a pro career. So far, star tight end Brock Bowers has been noncommittal. No one on Georgia’s roster has openly declared their intention to enter the draft.
On Saturday, December 30, Florida State and Georgia will square off in the Orange Bowl. The game will begin at 4:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.
